It’s important to realize that at this point these are still allegations. As someone who isn’t a native French speaker, I’ve commonly had people in France hear something entirely different than what I was actually saying.

We have no idea what language the insults were traded in, what the couple may or may not have said to provoke a response, etc.

We also have no idea if Galliano is a closet racist who went off after too much to drink (remember Seinfeld’s “Kramer”? No one saw that coming).

We say Galliano is striking back because at this point he has his side of the story, the couple has theirs. They made the first strike by filing charges, Galliano is striking back saying that the charges are not only wrong, but defamatory.

Since no one can be sure yet, I do agree that the suspension was appropriate, but I’m not convinced it’s so cut and dry that Galliano is a mean, racist drunk.

-YM

I think the statement Dior made was quite wrong. If they felt it necessary to make a statement it should have been along the lines that Dior acknowlege an incident has taken place involving their head designer and they will be in a position to make a statement when the facts are determined and the investigation has been completed.

As everyone knows, Dior is not really suspending Galliano as a lot of money rides on his upcoming collection which is to be shown on March 4. To say that they have suspended him immediately sounds like they have prejudged the case and do not support him in any way.

Dior has merely responded to the fact that he is currently being investigated for these claims. They have not said that they think he is guilty or not. They have merely said that he is on suspension because there are people that claim he has made these comments. Their response is completely expected given that he is being investigated. They have to show some sort of response to what is being said.

Dior has merely responded to the fact that he is currently being investigated for these claims. They have not said that they think he is guilty or not. They have merely said that he is on suspension because there are people that claim he has made these comments. Their response is completely expected given that he is being investigated. They have to show some sort of response to what is being said.

This must feel like a nightmare to Galliano, given that his new collection launches in a few days and his employer, who he has served well for some time, seem to have thrown him to the wolves.

I think it is important to find out the facts before making harsh judgements. I have heard that the couple insulted him, which provoked retaliation. Galliano’s bodyguard was present , tried to calm the situation and reported the matter to police. Several witnesses have already said that he didn’t make anti-semitic racists (though he may have made a refernce to “Asians”which may have been racist). I think Dior jumped in without gaining the facts and if I was Galliano, I would be very unhappy with the way he has been treated by them. Dior’s statement seemed to prejudge Galliano as guilty.